Letter: Taxation needs to be fair for all

As per the Constitution, the federal government has only the following major limited functions: to maintain an army to protect the citizens from foreign enemies, to support agencies which ensure our safety from domestic enemies, fire, and natural disasters, to build and repair the infrastructure, and to encourage the production of conventional energy to facilitate its use.

Grudgingly, I have recently come to accept that Congress might help fund education, so long as every student is subsidized in the exact same amount, free of all bureaucratic proscriptions.

Therefore, I challenge any and all Americans who would inflict the punishment upon the most successful among us, particularly those who provide our jobs, of higher tax rates — to explain to me how or why they do or should enjoy better service befitting their increased contributions.

I maintain that if the so called "rich" people receive the same military and fire protection, travel on the same roads, trains, airplanes, and cross the same bridges as the rest of us, why should they pay more?

It certainly seems unfair to me, and I'm sure if you were required to pay more than other citizens, you would feel put upon. Further, I'd be ashamed to harbor such a debilitating emotion, and I invite you to embrace my spirit of equality with me.